Badger I

Mountain Provinces, Heguri Empire

Keeping Watch

The white horse Badger stole kicked up snow as they rode down the overgrown path toward Oika. The night's storm had passed, but it was still frigid. The horse's breath billowed out as steam into the air, over and over, as it ran. The attackers' blood stained Badger's winter wools. Badger kept her staff secured to the left side of the animal. In her right hand, she held the reins of the other horse. The second beast was smaller, a valley colt from the south, and speckled brown. The injured man had pointed to it as she dragged him out from underneath the tree. She hadn't been able to make out what he was saying. Badger had only heard her name.

Chen Feiyan.

Badger looked to her right as her mount crunched the snowfall underneath them. The injured man lay perpendicular to the speckled horse, tied over the saddle. Blood soaked the bandage wrapped around his thigh. Badger could not see his face.

Hold on, just a bit longer. I need answers. And then you can die, for all I care.

Dampened early sunrise fought through the cloud cover to light the trail as Badger made her way out of the forest and into the small town of Oika. It had been years since she passed through Oika, but it looked the same: a Heguri mountain full of wooden thatched-roof houses and small farm plots. Mountain winds tugged at the wooden beams as the houses creaked in the early morning light. Embers glowed in the forge hearth from the previous night; Badger directed her white horse off the main road towards the glowing orange, alone in a quiet field of wooden structures covered in white snow. She tied both horses near the warmth of the forge, which was open to the road through the front. The valley colt neighed and tossed back its head while the white horse stepped closer to the warmth. The beasts' breath continued to billow out as steam into the frigid winter air.

Badger looked at the injured man tied over the brown horse. He was still breathing, and the bleeding wasn't spreading. Badger knew it would need washing soon nonetheless. She grabbed his shoulder and shook him, but there was no response.

"Don't die on me while I'm gone."

Badger stroked the white horse on the nose and left out the front of the open-air forge. She turned towards the door in the front of the building. It was a classic mountain house, with a steep thatched roof giving way to a rectangular wooden base. All the buildings in Oika were variations on the same design. The previous night's snow stacked up around the base of the building, but the roof was mostly clear. Badger called a beam of light to melt the snow and make her way to the front door. It was a thick cold mountain pine that stung her knuckles when she knocked. She wasn't surprised to hear nothing on the other side of the door. Whatever sunlight was faintly fighting through the clouds had to be very early. None of the roosters had even called.

Badger pounded on the door, this time using the side of her fist. The thick pine stung down her arm. For a moment, she remembered knocking on her little Moth's door at the monastery, but there was no time for memories. Badger heard movement through the walls. She stepped back from the door as it swung inwards. A short woman stood in the doorway; her gnarled hands made their way up to solid forearms. The woman wore a thick dark gray wool cloak to conceal herself from the elements. She wore her dark black hair tied above her head; she didn't look older than twenty-five, Badger thought.

"Who are you," the woman in the doorway said with a frown.

"Are you a Nagatane?"

"Who else would I be; who are you?"

"A customer."

"Do you have a name?"

Badger shook her head. The woman looked Badger up and down, and her eyes widened.

"You're from the monastery."

"I was."

The woman gestured to the road behind Badger, "The men that rode through last night, at least one hundred. They weren't friends of yours, were they?"

"They made themselves at home but overstayed their welcome."

"You're covered in blood," the short woman in gray stepped aside, "Come in, quickly."

Badger removed her hood and walked inside the building. The woman closed the door behind her.

"I'm Nagatane Chiki, daughter to Nagatane Chiba, and master of the forge with my brother."

Badger bowed her head lightly as Chiki lit a nearby oil lamp. The woman struggled to get the lamp lit in the cold room. Chiki blew into her hands and rubbed them together for warmth.

I suppose there's nothing left to hide.

Badger waved her hand, and a ball of light appeared before them. Chiki stepped back away from Badger.

"It's just a little light."

Chiki drew a short sword from her waist, "Are you a witch?"

Badger didn't move.

"Put the sword away; I'm not here to hurt you."

The forgemaster watched Badger for a long moment before sheathing her sword.

"You can call me a witch if you'd like, but I can't shapeshift. I'm not here to do anything other than to buy a sword. I'm a customer."

"So that's what you've been doing up there all along," Chiki motioned up towards the mountain.

"Something like that."

Chiki stood facing Badger in silence for another long minute. The ball of light bobbed up and down above them.

"Is this a parlor trick?"

Badger swung her arm, and the light danced around the room, leaving smaller balls of light in its wake, suspended in the air. The light lit the entire room like small hanging lanterns; Chiki gasped.

"Ok, not a trick," she whispered before turning back to Badger, "But why do you need a sword if you can, well, do this?"

"Light can't kill. It can blind temporarily, maybe sear flesh, but it won't kill."

"So it's vengeance you seek."

Badger nodded.

"Who?"

"An old friend."

"Whoever sent those men last night?"

Badger nodded, and Chiki thought for a moment.

"Light the central fire. There's wood and kindling already in the hearth. Do you drink tea?"

Badger nodded, and Chiki walked off into the next room. When she was gone, Badger moved towards the central hearth. A bundle of wood sat stacked above dry grass. Badger lit the kindling with a small beam of light, and the smoke began to rise up and out the chimney sitting above the open hearth. It was only a minute or two later before the fire was crackling.

"It's a green variety; we grow it in the village," Chiki said, carrying a tray.

She set the tray down; it held a clay teapot and two rough red clay cups. Badger could smell the tea leaves still steeping. Chiki poured tea into each cup and handed one to Badger. Steam poured out of the opening in the kettle. They each sipped and sat down on the bamboo mat next to the fire.

"Now, to business," Chiki put down her cup, "What do you need."

"A sword."

"Good, we make those," Chiki frowned, "Anything in particular?"

"Anything sharp and available."

"Long or short?"

"Long," Badger paused, "Actually, both."

Chiki nodded and stood up. Again, she disappeared into the back room.

Badger looked around the residence. Cloud-covered sunlight began filtering into the mountain home. The room was mostly empty, and worn. Various pieces of old wooden furniture sat in unarranged places around the room. The bamboo mat by the central hearth was the best-kept item. Along the wall that separated the building from the open-air forge sat various smithing tools, covered in soot.

"Here," Chiki crept back into the room and sat in front of Badger on the mat.

Slowly, the smith unfolded a blanket between them. Six blades sat sheathed in the black wool blanket, two short swords with four full-sized. Each sheath was dull black gray, with a copper crescent moon attached to a black tassel.

"They're all identical; you won't find any imperfections."

Badger reached out, "May I?"

Chiki nodded.

When Badger drew the short sword blade out of the sheath, it shimmered even in the dark morning light. Badger inspected the edge; it was sharp. These new blades were much sharper than the used Nagatane blades at the monastery. The priests had done their best to keep them fresh, but nothing kissed like new steel.

"How much?"

"I don't want your money."

Badger shook her head, "I must pay."

"I agree. But I don't want your money. I want to know how you do it."

Badger looked at Chiki, confused.

"The light; I want to know how you make the light."

Badger frowned and sheathed the short sword.

"It's not that simple."

"Try me."

"You can't, not without training."

"That's the price."

Badger scoffed; she watched Chiki and waited for her to balk. Chiki sat motionlessly.

Nothing left to lose.

"Fine."

Chiki nodded and smiled.

"At our monastery, there are old maples. Ancient. They tower over the grounds; you can't miss them. You need to gather a chunk of their root system. Take a small piece, no larger than a small berry, and grind it into a fine powder. Mix it into boiling water, and drink it."

"Some sort of potion?"

"Something like that."

"And that lets me use the light?"

"No. There's a tower on the far side of the courtyard. Enter the tower and take the lone hallway down until it opens up into a room. There will be a staircase down into the mountain. Follow it until you reach another room. You'll see a stone tablet. Stand in front of it until you feel the effects of the root."

"Are the effects strong?"

"Very strong. You'll know."

Chiki nodded.

"When you feel the root, place your hands on the tablet. There are characters that you'll understand only then the root affects you. Then, you'll be able to call the light."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

Chiki pondered for a moment.

"Well, it's not as if the priests will let me walk in and cut into their trees and enter their tower."

"They're abandoning the monastery."

Chiki looked puzzled now.

"You won't be seeing any of those men return. But they killed many of our priests. We don't have enough to —"

Badger stopped herself.

"To what?"

"Look, you should just go, get the light, and hurry back. You and your brother should think about moving south, too."

"Impossible. We'll never leave our forge."

I guess there truly is no reason left to hide.

"Chiki, there's a reason we've been up the mountain all this time; why the monastery has existed for hundreds of years, if not more."

Chiki's eyes never wavered Badger as she spoke.

"Creatures in the night, demons, whatever you want to call them. Things of stories. They're real; they always have been. Some enter this world outside our monastery walls on the mountain. With the power the tower provides, we defeat them. After last night there are not enough of us left. The workers of the monastery plan to flee."

Chiki laughed nervously before her face straightened out. Her eyes watched Badger closely.

"You're joking with me now."

"I am not."

The two sat silently for a moment. Chiki finally shook her head.

"This is a lot of information. I'll ride to your monastery today. If I can verify what you've told me, I'll give you the swords."

Badger shook her head now, "I don't have time."

"It's not your choice. That's my price."

"I've been patient with you so far, but I need to be on my way."

"Go ahead."

Nothing left to lose.

Badger reached for the speed, and the world moved slowly around her. She watched Chiki for a moment; the young blacksmith looked suspended in time. Her hands looked gnarled as if from years of work in the forge. Her forearms darkened with soot stains. Her face was slightly crooked and round. Despite the imperfections, Badger found her attractive.

In another life, maybe. Sorry about this.

Badger picked up a short sword, walked around behind Chiki, and put it to her throat. She returned to normal time. Chiki screamed.

"Quiet," Badger murmured.

"You are a witch! How'd you do that?"

"I'll slit your throat if I need to. Now, I've paid the price; let me go with two of your swords."

Chiki huffed, "Fine."

Badger dropped the short sword from her neck and returned to her place on the mat.

"Is that in the tower too? How to disappear like that."

"I wouldn't go looking if I were you."

Chiki sat for a moment, watching her. Badger sipped her tea.

"Go. Take the swords and go."

Badger nodded and picked up the closest long sword to go with the short sword she already held. She stood up and bowed slightly before leaving the room.

"These demons," Chiki called over her shoulder, "When I see one, will I have time to run?"

"Better to fight than to run, my dear."

Badger winked before opening the thick door, and the cold crisp air washed over her. The mountain homes covered in snow were bright in the morning sun, still fighting through cloud cover.

Spider had told Badger all about Fei's past after the demon had attacked her for the first time. It all felt like so long ago. Badger had been shocked to learn from Spider that Fei and Badger ran away from the same man.

Why do you only leave destruction in your wake, Xue?

Badger watched the brown colt ride under the weight of the injured man. He was still breathing when they left Oika. Now Badger wasn't so sure. She needed to get him inside and his wounds properly dressed quickly. Badger rode at pace through the highland forest paths of Lord Tamura's Mountain Province Two. Barren beech and maple trees swayed in the winter winds. Flurries of the previous day's snow blew across the path, which meandered along the frozen river. The last time Badger rode this path was on her way to the monastery. She recalled how beautiful the vibrant trees had looked against the clear green water of the river.

It was late morning when Badger excited the forest paths and found an inn on the side of the road. The two-floored inn looked well kept from the outside. Balconies overlooked the passing dirt road from the second floor, and thick black smoke billowed from a chimney. Badger looked to the left and saw a stable next to the building. It was empty.

A stout bald man burst through the front door of the inn. He wasn't dressed for the weather but ran nimbly through a cleared path in the snow in his sandals.

"Is he hurt?" the man called while running over to Badger.

Badger put his hand on the hilt of her sword, making it known to the man.

"Who are you?"

The man froze and put up his hands.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to threaten you."

Badger watched him; his eyes darted to the injured man on the brown colt.

"Do you know him?" Badger asked.

"He stayed with me until yesterday morning. I told him not to leave in the weather we had. He didn't listen."

"He's hurt. We need to clean his wound."

The man nodded, "I'll help you bring him in. We can stable your horses, too."

Badger dismounted and helped the man undo the straps holding the injured man onto the horse.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"I don't have one, not anymore."

"Norinaga," the man smiled softly, and they pulled the man off the horse.

"Good to meet you, Norinaga. Thank you for your help."

"I don't suppose you have your papers."

Badger was silent.

"No, no, neither did he. Don't worry. I don't care. Let's just get him inside."

He seems to care about this man's wellbeing. Best not tell him I don't care if the man lives or dies so long as I get some answers.

"Is there anyone else inside?"

Norinaga shook his head, "No visitors in this weather. Barely anyone was traveling along the road yesterday in the storm."

Norinaga and Badger carried the limp body up the front steps and into the inn. From there, they each supported one shoulder and dragged him into a room on the far end of the second floor.

"Better to keep you two tucked away, I think. In case there are other visitors."

Badger and Norinaga laid the man on the cot in the corner of the room. Norinaga opened the shutters to let the light in and left the room, promising to return with hot water and fresh cloth to tend the wound. Badger returned her attention to the man that had tried to help Chen Feiyan.

Who are you?

Badger watched his shallow breath as he lay on the cot. The room was sparse and covered wall to wall with bamboo matt. Badger noticed the sliding door led to a balcony overlooking the forest set to the side of the inn. She walked over and slid open the door to let in the cold winter air. Barren branches of beech trees creaked in the wind, and flurries of snow blew across the winter landscape. A bright orange fox padded in the open space between trees leaving behind a trail. Badger had not seen a fox in a long time. They did not live high up on the Gods' Mountains where the monastery stood.

So many years of work destroyed. Spider gone; my little Moth gone.

She couldn't bear the thoughts; mercifully, the sound of footsteps preceded Norinaga returning with a pot of hot water and cloth. Badger closed the door and returned to the corner where the man lay on the bed. Norinaga drew a dagger and cut open the bandages Badger had initially applied to the wound. The gash looked raw but clean and had not started to smell. Norinaga dipped a clean cloth in the scalding water and began to dab at the open wound.

"What's his name?"

"I dare not say," Norinaga replied, "It's not mine to give."

"Fair enough."

Badger watched the man's face as Norinaga worked; she expected him to wince or moan as Norinaga cleaned, but he remained asleep and expressionless. The sound of his breath and his chest slowly moving up and down gave him hope.

When Norinaga finished, he wrapped the wound with clean bandages and wiped his brow.

"All done."

"Thank you," Badger replied.

Norinaga stood up and gathered the soiled bandages and pot.

"Would you like a separate room? Or perhaps, I can bring you a second bed if you'd like to sleep

nearby."

"A second bed, thank you. I'll move to a separate room when the man wakes."

"Very good."

"And payment?"

"Do you have our coin?" Norinaga asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You're not Heguri, right?"

"Is my accent that bad?"

Norinaga chuckled, "It's only slight."

"I learned the language here, across the border."

"Better than his," Norinaga motioned to the man laying on the cot, "I didn't mean to offend; I just wondered if you had Heguri coin if you were a traveler from the south."

"I have plenty."

In truth, Badger had made away with her share of the coin held in the monastery vaults. The survivors of the attack on the monastery decided to split it evenly as they abandoned the grounds. Norinaga gathered a few coins for the first few nights, and Badger promised to pay again should they still be there at the end of the third night.

"Water," a gasping voice called from behind them.

Badger spun around; the injured man's eyes were open. He reached out towards them.

"Water," he called again.

Norinaga rushed to the man's side and scooped water into his mouth using the pot of clean water. He drank three handfuls before slinking back onto the cot and closing his eyes. Badger and Norinaga watched him breathe slowly and fall back asleep.

Norinaga signaled Badger, and they quietly excited out into the hallway, closing the sliding door behind them.

"Norinaga, if I pay you extra, will you make sure he eats and keep the wound clean?"

Norinaga nodded his agreement.

Better he not know I'm here; it will catch him off guard when he's ready for questioning.

"I will stay in another room. I would not like to bother the man until he's recovered. Is that alright?"

"Of course," Norinaga said, "Let me show you to a room at the end of the hall. Still better to keep you a bit tucked away, I think."

"Agreed."

Norinaga brought her cold rice, hot broth, and tea when Badger settled into her room. She ate the food eagerly and then rested the rest of the day. Badger didn't dare leave the inn until nightfall in case anyone was looking for her or the injured man. She kept her two swords and staff close to her cot.

When she finally stepped out of the front door for some fresh air, there were still no travelers on the road. The storm had passed, and the sky was clear. Stars shone brightly as a cold breeze tugged loose snowflakes across the hidden dirt road. Badger wandered over to the forest at the side of the inn. The beech trees stood like sentinels watching over the empty road. Up ahead, something small moved on the forest floor. Badger crept closer in the dark, hiding behind the trees. When she was within striking distance, she again reached for the speed; the world moved slowly around her. Badger stepped out from behind the tree and walked around the fox, observing it. It was sitting and staring at the injured man's window; its dark brown eyes focused on the balcony.

When Badger couldn't sleep that night, it wasn't because she missed Fei or feared for the monastery. It wasn't to keep watch for anyone that might be tracking them. The fox kept her awake; all Badger could think about were the dark brown eyes and how they looked more human than animal.